That’s a fair deduction — and likely an accurate one. Top prospect was a do-it-all playmaker at Montana State, showcasing elite athleticism, vision, and toughness, even if his passing tools fall short for the NFL. His combination of size (around 6’0″, 210 lbs), speed, and open-field elusiveness makes him a strong candidate for a Taysom Hill-like role — possibly more as a wide receiver or gadget weapon than a traditional quarterback.
The fact that the Raiders took Cam Miller just two picks later, a more prototypical quarterback with legitimate upside as a passer, reinforces the idea that his future is elsewhere on the field. Josh McDaniels may be gone, but this kind of creative player still fits what modern offenses crave: flexibility and matchup nightmares.
If top star sticks on the roster, it could be as a special teams weapon and offensive Swiss army knife.
Right — while the Raiders haven’t formally committed to a position switch for veteran star, college scouting director Brandon Yeargan gave some telling comments that hint at how the team views his future.
Here’s what Yeargan said:
“He’s just a football player. He’s one of the best competitors we evaluated in this class. He’s smart, he’s tough, he’s instinctive. We’re not locking him into one spot right now — quarterback, receiver, special teams — we just know we want him in the building and we’ll figure the rest out. He’s the kind of guy you trust to help your football team in a lot of different ways.”
This statement clearly emphasizes Mellott’s intangibles — toughness, versatility, and football IQ — over traditional quarterback traits. The Raiders are signaling that they see Mellott as a “positionless” asset early on, someone who could grow into multiple roles, whether that’s a gadget QB, slot receiver, special teams ace, or even a third-down back type.
It’s the kind of developmental swing you often see on Day 3 of the draft — low risk, high reward, and a chance to find a mismatch creator or spark plug. He’s not just camp depth; they genuinely seem excited about what he could become.
“I wouldn’t limit him to one role right now,” Yeargan said after the draft. “We see him primarily as a receiver, but someone who can contribute a lot on special teams — possibly as a returner or coverage player — and maybe even take some snaps at quarterback. We really view him as a versatile athlete and receiver. He’s a unique talent.”
Many have already drawn comparisons between Mellott and former Patriots standout Julian Edelman, who also transitioned from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver.
Mellott could be even more athletic than Edelman, which might give the Raiders more flexibility to use him in creative ways. He’s a fascinating weapon for offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to experiment with.
While he may not make a major impact right away, he’s definitely a name to keep an eye on in the future.